Jeongdong-gil Road (정동길) - Area information - Korea travel information

Jeongdong-gil Road (정동길)

Jeongdong-gil Road (정동길)

626.2M    2024-06-19

2-1 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Jeongdong-gil Road is one of Seoul's most famous walking paths, stretching from the intersection in front of Jeongdong Church to Saemunan-gil Road. The street holds importance in Korea's modern history, with the surroundings serving as a living museum of this. During the Joseon dynasty, the area developed into a residental space for distant members of the royal family, with a palace and royal tombs in the area. In 1999, the pedestrian walking area was expanded by turning the two-way road into a one-way road. Since then, the road has earned many awards and honors.

SAERAN OPTICAL[Korea Quality]/세란안경[한국관광 품질인증]

SAERAN OPTICAL[Korea Quality]/세란안경[한국관광 품질인증]

637.4M    2024-06-25

30 , Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-10-8746-2715

Seran Optical Center is a specialty eyewear store on the 1st basement floor of the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, and opened in 1979 along with the Lotte Department Store and Hotel in Myeong-dong. Drawing on long-standing expertise, Seran optometrists offer a 1:1 customer-centered service, providing high-quality glasses and precision processing to suit customers’ lifestyle. There is also post-tax exemption for foreigners, and thorough post-sales support. Featured brands include LINDBERG, Cartier, CHROME HEARTS, and Berlin.

Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관(서소문본관))

640.1M    2024-06-19

61 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2124-8800

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) is a space for all to meet and experience the joy of art. Located in the center of Jeong-dong, a district that retains traces of Seoul’s modern and contemporary history, the museum integrates the historical facade of the former Supreme Court with modern architecture. In addition to various programs―encompassing exhibitions, educational outreach initiatives, screenings, workshops, performances, and talks, communal spaces including SeMA Cafe, the artbook store, the open space lobby, and the outdoor sculpture park SeMA WALK provide a rich range of ways for visitors to experience art.

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

661.7M    2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-2641

Bosingak Belfry is also known as Jonggak. It was the site in which a large bell, used to keep the time in Seoul, was found during the Joseon period (1392-1897). Bosingak Belfry was burned down during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was reconstructed in 1979. The original bell was moved to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a new bell was forged in 1985. At midnight, January 1, the bell at the Bosingak Belfry is rung to welcome the new year. Many people gather around the belfry to make a wish for their new year.

Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁)

684.9M    2024-07-09

45 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0274

Gyeonghuigung Palace, a designated Historic Site, was originally called the large palace by Saemun Gate, or the Western Palace, for its location within the city. It was not until the eighth year of Gwanghaegun (1616) that the palace was used as a royal residence for the king, changing the name to Gyeongdeokgung Palace. The name later changed again to the current Gyeonghuigung Palace in 1760. The palace grounds included many halls but they were mostly all burned down in a fire in 1829. After the Japanese occupation began, all remaining buildings on the site were torn down and the palace grounds were turned into Gyeongseong Middle School (now Seoul High School). The school moved to Gangnam area in 1987, afterwhich the previous location was turned into a park. The palace grounds currently hold Seoul Museum of Art and walking paths, as well as a restoration of Heunghwamun Gate, the main gate of the palace, and Sungjeongjeon Hall, the main hall, completed in November 1994.

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital (강북삼성병원)

687.3M    2025-10-23

29 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Established in 1968, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital has over 50 years of history and is taking a new leap forward with a vision for its centennial year.
Through partnerships with renowned institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States and the BBDC in Canada, the hospital delivers advanced medical services while leading the public health arena. It is also committed to systematic research and the development of ICT-integrated digital healthcare, which will be the foundation for future medicine. With an excellent infrastructure that includes clinics and specialized centers (e.g., the Diabetes Center, Breast and Thyroid Cancer Center, Digestive Cancer Center, Musculoskeletal Disease Center, and Prostate Center), Kangbuk Samsung Hospital provides top-quality medical services focused on providing patients with satisfactory treatments. 

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

694.8M    2024-10-25

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

722.3M    2024-12-04

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

LOTTE Department Store - Myeongdong Main Store (롯데백화점 (본점))

LOTTE Department Store - Myeongdong Main Store (롯데백화점 (본점))

731.8M    2024-05-17

81, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2200-0111

LOTTE Main store is the original branch of LOTTE Department Store, situated in the heart of Korea's bustling tourism hub, Myeong-dong. Shoppers can enjoy their time in the premium life-style shopping place with Luxury & Trendy brands.

Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum (배재학당 역사 박물관)

Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum (배재학당 역사 박물관)

746.4M    2022-10-14

19, Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-319-5578

The Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum is dedicated to Henry Gerhart Appenzeller, the missionary who opened the first Western-style educational institution in Korea in 1885. The school started with English and core subjects, but expanded into the Pai Chai University, Pai Chai High School, and Pai Chai Middle School and has many famous alumni, including Rhee Syng-man. The memorial hall opened in 2008 in the east wing of the original school building, which was built in 1916 and designated as a Seoul Monument. With dynamically arranged permanent exhibitions, annual special exhibitions and special lectures, the museum offers a unique learning experience to visitors and people with an interest in the history of education in Korea.